NATIONAL DATABASE AND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY (VERIFICATION, REVOCATION AND CANCELLATION OF IDENTITY DOCUMENTS) REGULATIONS, 2025

S.R.O. 2186(I)/2025.—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 45 of National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000 (VIII of 2000), the National Database and Registration Authority is pleased to make the following regulations, namely:—

1. Short title, commencement and application.—(1) These regulations may be called the National Database and Registration Authority (Verification, Revocation and Cancellation of Identity Documents) Regulations, 2025.

(2) They shall come into force at once.

(3) They shall apply to all identity documents and certificates issued under the Ordinance, including CNIC, NICOP, CRC, FRC, Juvenile Card, and POC.

2. Definitions.—Unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context—

(a) "Authorized Officer" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(aa) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(b) "Board" means a Verification Board constituted under section 18 of the Ordinance and rule 20 of the National Identity Card Rules, 2002;

(c) "Cancellation" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(ba) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(d) "Card" includes every identity card issued under the Ordinance;

(e) "Certificate" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(ca) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(f) "Confiscation" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(da) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(g) "Digital Marking" means embedding traceable metadata in the Citizen Database to flag a record for further verification;

(h) "Impounding" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(ge) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(i) "Intruder" shall have the same meaning as rule 2(ia) of the National Database and Registration Authority (National Identity Card) Rules, 2002;

(j) "Verification Branch" means the Regional or HQ Verification & Revocation Branch; and

(k) All words and expressions not defined herein shall bear the same meaning as assigned in the Ordinance or the NIC Rules 2002.

3. Purpose and scope.—(1) These regulations prescribe the procedure for verification, revocation, impounding, confiscation and cancellation of identity documents, and for constitution, powers and functioning of Verification Boards under section 18 of the Ordinance.

4. Identification of suspect cases.—(1) A person or record may be treated as suspect if there is reason to believe that—

(a) the card or certificate was obtained by a person not eligible to hold it;

(b) more than one card or certificate has been obtained on the same eligibility basis;

(c) the particulars have been forged, obliterated or tampered with; or

(d) the card or certificate itself is counterfeit.

5. Reporting of suspect cases.—(1) Cases may be initiated or reported through—

(a) orders of courts of competent jurisdiction;

(b) reports of government agencies including MOI, MOFA, IMPASS, NAB, FIA, IB, ISI and others;

(c) the Authority's own motion through Verification Board, DAU, M&E or Legal Directorate; or

(d) public complaints supported by documentary evidence.

6. Pre-verification procedure at DAU / Pak-ID.—(1) Every applicant shall be screened through a Pre-Verification Checklist.

(2) Where the applicant satisfies the checklist, processing shall continue; otherwise a notice under section 23 of the Ordinance shall be issued.

(3) If the applicant fails to justify eligibility within fifteen (15) days, the record shall be digitally marked and referred to the Zonal Verification Board with written reasons.

(4) Notices shall be served by hand, courier, registered post, email, or SMS and proof of service retained.

7. Proceedings before Zonal and Regional Verification Boards.—(1) The Board shall issue notice under section 18 to provide opportunity of personal hearing.

(2) If the applicant appears and satisfies the Board, the case shall be cleared and data unmarked.

(3) Where eligibility is not proved, the case shall be digitally impounded and referred for cancellation under section 18(1) read with rule 22(8)(b).

(4) Boards may refer complex or contradictory cases to the Regional Board or to a verifying agency under section 5(4)(j).

(5) Decisions shall be made within thirty (30) days of conclusion of hearing and shall be recorded as Speaking Orders.

8. Composition and Governance of Verification Boards.—(1) Boards shall be constituted at Zonal, Regional, and Headquarters (HQ) levels.

(2) Boards shall exercise all powers of inquiry, verification, clearance, impounding, confiscation, and cancellation under Section 18 of the Ordinance.

9. Documentation for verification.—(1) Boards may decide cases on the basis of any of the following, individually or collectively—

(a) verified CNIC / MNIC issued before 1979;

(b) land-revenue, domicile, local or pedigree record issued before 1979;

(c) employment certificate issued before 1990;

(d) verified educational or government record issued before 1979;

(e) passport issued prior to 1979; or

(f) any other authentic document issued by Federal, Provincial or Local Government before 1979.

10. Personal hearing.—(1) No adverse order shall be passed without giving the person concerned an opportunity of personal hearing.

(2) Hearings may be conducted physically or through video link.

(3) A decision shall be made within thirty (30) days after commencement of hearing.

11. Speaking Order.—(1) Every order under these regulations shall—

(a) state material facts and issues;

(b) cite the provisions of law or rules applied;

(c) record reasons for the decision; and

(d) be communicated to the affected person.

12. Delivery of notices.—(1) Notices shall be sent to both present and permanent addresses and may also be transmitted by digital means (SMS, email, or portal).

(2) If unserved, notice shall be published on the Authority's website and in at least one newspaper of wide circulation.

13. Digital marking and impounding.—(1) Digital Marking shall be applied when doubt exists pending further verification.

(2) Digital Impounding shall be effected upon issuance of an order under section 18(1) where—

(a) a person is ineligible;

(b) an intruder is detected;

(c) the applicant fails to appear after lawful notice; or

(d) temporary clearance conditions are not fulfilled.

14. Segregation of intruder.—(1) The head of family may submit a notarized affidavit seeking removal of an intruder.

(2) The Board shall verify facts and, where satisfied, segregate the intruder's record.

(3) Family linkages verified through biometric authentication of genuine relatives shall not be disturbed.

(4) Disputed or sub-judice matters shall be decided only pursuant to court orders.

15. Declaration of ineligibility (self-declaration).—(1) Where any person voluntarily declares that an identity document was wrongly obtained, the Board shall require a notarized affidavit stating particulars and original nationality.

(2) Such document shall be immediately confiscated and cancelled; a receipt shall be issued as per Schedule I.

16. Revocation and cancellation.—(1) Revocation or cancellation shall be executed by the Regional V&R Branch upon decision of the competent Board.

(2) After cancellation, details shall be transmitted to HQ NADRA, MOI and other concerned stakeholders.

17. Responsibilities of Regional Verification Branch.—(1) The Branch shall—

(a) execute impounding, revocation, segregation and cancellation orders;

(b) seek approval of Regional DG;

(c) publish notices and orders on the NADRA website and newspapers where required;

(d) maintain complete documentation including notices, orders, and minutes;

(e) share cancelled-card data with HQ Ops;

(f) refer disciplinary violations to HR or Compliance; and

(g) monitor training and performance of Boards under its jurisdiction.

18. Headquarters functions.—(1) HQ Verification Division shall—

(a) refer cases to verifying agencies under section 5(4)(j);

(b) monitor follow-up and reminders to agencies;

(c) conduct HQ-level Boards for urgent or sensitive cases;

(d) implement decisions of the Ministry of Interior;

(e) coordinate appeals under section 18(3); and

(f) maintain a national repository of all verification decisions.

19. Record and evidence.—(1) All notices, affidavits, hearing minutes, and orders shall form part of the digital case file and be admissible in evidence under section 17(4) of the Ordinance.

20. Time-lines.—(1) Notice period — 15 days from service.

(2) Decision after hearing — within 30 days.

(3) Appeal — within 30 days to the Federal Government under section 18(3).

21. Transitional and savings.—(1) All actions lawfully taken under any previous SOP or instruction on verification, impounding or cancellation shall be deemed valid as if taken under these regulations.